Are Newcastle interested in Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum?

Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Georginio Wijnaldum – but the midfielder won’t be returning to St James’s Park this summer.

The club sold Wijnaldum to Liverpool two years ago in a £25million deal.

There has been speculation over Wijnaldum’s Anfield future.

A report in Turkey claimed that Newcastle were rivalling Fenerbahce for Wijnaldum’s signature in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool have signed midfielders Naby Keita and Fabinho this summer.

However, versatile Wijnaldum – who made 50 club appearances last season and is settled at Anfield – remains an important player for manager Jurgen Klopp, who lost Emre Can to Juventus after the German midfielder turned down a new deal.

Klopp also lost Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to a long-term injury late last season.

In any case, United wouldn’t be able to afford Wijnaldum, even if he was up for sale. The 27-year-old will be worth more than £25million in today’s inflated transfer market, while his Anfield wage is well in excess of that earned by Jonjo Shelvey, Newcastle’s top-earner.

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is working with a limited budget in the window.

Benitez has signed Kenedy, Martin Dubravka and Ki Sung-yueng so far this summer and sold Mikel Merino to Real Sociedad.